Sistema Shyam TeleServices Limited (SSTL) has announced its unaudited consolidated US GAAP financial results for the third quarter ended September 30, 2011.
Key Financial and Operational Highlights
? The operator?s consolidated revenues increased by 18 per cent quarter-on-quarter (Q-o-Q) to Rs 3,282 million. Its quarterly revenues continue to grow faster than its wireless subscriber base, which was up by 13 per cent to 13.27 million.
?Non-voice revenues from both data and mobile value added services for the quarter increased by 32 per cent Q-o-Q to Rs 1,052 million, which now contributes to 32 per cent of total revenue and the contribution has increased by 3.4 percentage points for the quarter.
? Blended mobile ARPU for the quarter increased to Rs 85, against Rs 82. The increase in ARPU is in contrast to a declining trend in the market.
? SSTL?s data card subscriber base for the quarter increased by 30 per cent to 1.07 million subscribers. SSTL added 0.25 million data card subscribers during the quarter, which was the highest number of additions in a quarter till date.
? Consolidated OIBDA loss for the quarter stands at Rs 4,584 million. OIBDA margins improved 7 percentage points Q-o-Q.
? SSTL launched, MTS MTAG 3.1 and MTS Livewire, India?s most affordable Android powered smartphones in the sub Rs 5,000 category.
According to Vsevolod Rozanov, president and chief executive officer, SSTL, ?SSTL has once again demonstrated robust growth across its key business metrics. The market response to our data centric: voice enabled strategy continues to be extremely positive. In fact, the government?s intent to increase broadband penetration in the country, as outlined in the Draft National Telecom Policy 2011 also supports our business strategy. However, we are awaiting further clarity on issues, such as additional spectrum availability. In spite of all these challenges, we are committed to further drive growth in data usage amongst the masses, with smartphones and tablets playing a major role in this process?
The CAPEX investments made by SSTL in India at the end of the third quarter of 2011 stands at Rs 62.43 billion; this includes the investment of Rs 1,617 million. Consolidated debt from banks and financial institutions at the end of the quarter under consideration stands at Rs 68.6 billion.
